Light of the Lord

Light of the Lord Episode 57

The light of the Lord is my strength and my hope. If we keep our eyes on the Lord only then can we know that there is more to life than what we see here on earth!

As I share this I think about the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” It is a song that causes us to first smile, and then sing it loudly and of course clap. It is a child’s song and while some may think it is silly I think it is joyous and causes you and others to have joy as they sing the verses.

The verses go on to say don’t let Satan take it away and don’t hide it under a bushel. God’s light is made to give us hope and we should share it with others, right? But how can we share what we don’t have?

Light of the Lord … light is God calling us out of darkness.

Matthew 5:16

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Our light comes from God. The goodness that we show others, the things we do for others, for our family for our friends, for those less fortunate than ourselves. These are the things that happen to those who love the Lord and wait for Him to lead.

Have you heard the saying the “frozen chosen?” It basically means those of us that are given the good news and don’t act upon it. No one could distinguish us from anyone else on the street.

This doesn’t mean you need to go to everyone on the street and proclaim the good news but it does mean we handle our crosses with grace. We can judge by the fruit. Are we demonstrating good fruit in our day to day walk with the Lord or bad fruit? I love the analogy of the fruit tree because the fruit comes from a tree that is healthy, that has the right nutrients and a good and sound foundation – the roots. The fruit takes time to grow, it happens after all the conditions are right and on its own, it cannot reach full maturation or ripeness.

Our faith comes from our relationship with God. We cannot remain the same, similar to the frozen chosen condition. We are chosen by the very nature of being a Christian. It was a calling from God to become a Christian and our free will allows us to make a decision to say yes – to say yes to our faith.

If we are not moving forward in our walk with the Lord – if we are not allowing the light of God to shine through, we are preventing the work that the Lord has for us to go forward.

Matthew 5:13-15

“…You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.”

Letting your light shine means you are being counter-culture. In a world that is a go with the flow mentality we are to stand up for what is right and God – not to ourselves but to God. Being pro-life and anti-abortion is an example of this.

Letting your light shine means being a light to the people around you and allowing your love for God to show.

Letting your light shine means to give all the glory to God who is the source of goodness.

Letting your light shine means clearing it out from time to time of the gunk that builds up over time, and dulls that light. If there are ways we are sinful or knowingly are allowing ourselves to be tempted. Ask the Lord for forgiveness and allow Him to clear out the gunk and return the full light.

Let’s pray —

Dear Lord, I ask that you allow me to be open so that You may shine through me. Let me be your hands, your mouth, your feet — allow me to touch those that need you the most, bringing them the good news that Jesus lives, Alleluiah! I am nothing without you Lord – and I seek to be all you have for me. I do not know what will happen in the future, tomorrow, or even today – this minute but I surrender it all into your very capable hands. Dear Lord allow me to be less of me and more of you. I know I will be happier if I can listen and learn. I ask that you bless those who are listening today with every good thing – I pray for the intentions of those who are suffering and I pray the joy that surpasses all understanding and the light of the Lord that only comes from You into everyone’s heart. I pray this in Jesus Name, Amen.